Page 35

S asha and Elm carry my items to my new room. I watch Sasha digging around in the armoire dragging out items, then I remember what I have in there. Sweat breaks out across my skin as my breath catches in my throat. I jump up, head to the armoire, and grab the tiny vial of poison, shoving it deep inside a pair of boots.

When Elm enters, I hand them to him, giving him a weird look as I gesture to the boots. He immediately picks up on my intent, takes the boots along with some other items from the armoire, and leaves to put them in my new room.

We step into my new room, much larger than my previous one. Approaching the armoire, I see that Elm tucked the boots to the side, hidden beneath a few elegant gowns hanging above it. Perfect.

“Reign?” Startled, I jump. Prince Lukene stands in the doorway.

Breathless and anxious at the thought of being caught, I respond, “Yes, Prince?”

“Come. You will not sleep in here tonight. When your room is settled tomorrow, you can sleep here.” His tone is stern and serious.

“Where will I sleep?”

“Just come with me.” Looking at Sasha, she gestures toward Lukene. Walking to the doorway, I follow him. I didn’t have to follow far, just a few paces to his door.

Halting, I glance at him. “Luke, I…”

“No expectations. Just sleep. Your room will take a while to settle, and we don’t know who wrecked your other room. Please. It will make me feel better, knowing you are safe.”

I huff but concede with a nod. After entering his room, I sit in the leather chair I’ve occupied during my previous visits. The fire is dying, shadows dancing lazily on the black walls from its dwindling light.

Lukene walks into the washroom, leaving the door open. The sound of running water echoes until he emerges.

“Come on…” he demands.

“Lukene…”

“Now, Reign…”

Standing, I walk into the washroom. The black tiles and stone shower glisten in the dull light as steam billows throughout the room.

“You had a rough day. Shower,” he insists. I glare at him, nervousness lacing my movements.

“Well, I can’t if you’re in here.”

“You can.” He smiles mischievously.

“Are you out of your mind?” I ask, raising a brow.

He chuckles, “Yes, out of my mind for you…” He walks over to the vanity and takes a drying cloth out, handing it to me. “Undress and wrap this around you. I’ll turn around while you do.”

Accepting defeat, I take the cloth. When he turns around, hesitantly, I strip off my dress, letting it drop to the floor. The cloth wraps around my midsection, covering my most intimate parts.

“Uh… You can turn back around,” I say.

He turns back, grinning as he gestures to the shower. “Thank you for the permission.” I roll my eyes but smile.

Anticipation thickens the air as I step into the shower. The water is hot, soothing. It’s been so long since I stood in a shower, and it feels amazing. Closing my eyes, I tilt my head back under the water. Suddenly, a presence looms nearby. Opening my eyes, I spot him standing in front of me, a drying cloth around his waist. My breath catches as my fingers twitch nervously.

“No expectations, Reign… Do you trust me?” His voice is soft yet still husky.

Voicing my words with certainty I say, “Yes… Yes, I trust you.” Everything in my life has trained me not to trust men, yet I trust him. I know he won’t hurt me. He will either be my biggest regret or my greatest redemption.

“Good. Turn around.”

I obey, facing the shower spout. The hot water sprays soothingly over my body, soaking the drying cloth completely. The scent of wood and citrus fills the air as strong hands find their way into my hair, massaging my scalp as he washes it. Leaning into his touch, a slight moan escapes my lips. His touch is so caring, so tender—nothing like the Luke everyone else knows. Suddenly, I feel honored to see this side of him. Maybe there is more to the devil after all.

Luke grasps my shoulders, spinning me around so my hair is under the water. He steps closer, his body brushing against mine. Strong fingers delicately rinse the soap from my hair while his gaze remains locked on mine, filled with an intensity I can’t quite place. Leaning down, he plants a soft kiss on the center of my forehead, and I literally feel like I could melt.

Will the prisoner win the prince after all? Can I possibly have my happy ending? The thought of killing his sister lingers in the back of my mind, but I push it away. I want to enjoy this moment with him, play pretend just for a little while.

He lathers soap on a washing cloth and begins to scrub my shoulders, then arms, then my neck, carefully avoiding my breasts. He spins me back around, washing my back above the now-wet drying cloth, then moves to my legs.

Once I am fully rinsed off, he says, “You may want to step out now. I am about to drop my cloth and wash up.” He smiles wickedly. “Or don’t, if you want to see what’s hiding underneath,” he mutters playfully.

“No… I’m going!” I exclaim as I step out of the shower with the same swiftness of my heartbeat.

Lukene chuckles loudly. “You have a nightgown on my bed.”

With that I head back into his room, finding a black lacy nightgown sitting on his bed. I dress quickly then try to run my fingers through my hair to detangle some of the lavender knots. By the time I get them undone, Lukene steps out of the washroom, wearing his sleeping pants and nothing else.

Gods and goddesses, he will be the death of me. A grin crosses his face, as if he knows my thoughts. “Get in the bed, Reign. Try to get some sleep,” he demands, walking over to the fireplace and stoking the flames to life, like the desire inside of me

Climbing into his bed, I slip under the black blankets. He pulls a chair up, facing the bed, and sits in it. He leans his head back, legs stretched out in front of him, while thick arms relax on the armrests. The light from the fire casts a golden glow on his tan skin, accentuating his muscular chest. He resembles a glorious god sitting on his throne.

With a smoldering gaze, he holds my attention as his throat bobs with a loud swallow.

“Sleep, Reign. I’ll be right here.” His voice sounds almost desperate, like he’s on the verge of losing control.

I want to stay awake, to stare at the man before me. However, the crackling fire, the soft glow in the room, and the safety of the handsome man near me lull me into comfort. Sleep sneaks up on me, pulling me under into its dark embrace.

* * *

Jolting awake, I sit up in bed. Air escapes my lungs as I desperately try to take a breath. Sweat clings to my skin as I take in my surroundings and the bright green eyes staring at me.

Lukene sits on the edge of the bed, sleep still in his eyes. It was a nightmare—just a nightmare.

“You’re okay, Reign. It was just a bad dream. Everything is fine.” He rubs down the side of my face. “Try to get some sleep. I’m right here.” He stands to walk to the chair, but I pull his hand. He glances down at me, curiosity dancing in his eyes.

“Stay. Lie with me.” He looks at me like he is mulling over my words, contemplating.

“No expectations,” I say, a hint of a smile on my lips, throwing his own words back at him. He smiles widely, and I know I’ve won. Moving over in the bed, he slides in beside me.

We face each other; no words are spoken, but so much is exchanged in our glances. After a few moments, he breaks the silence. “So, what was the nightmare about?”

I briefly close my eyes and huff. “I dreamt that Elm died. He was in the entry room of the palace, and a Necrum killed him. But it was so odd; the Necrum had brown eyes instead of white.” My breathing quickens, matching my heart rate at the memory of the nightmare.

“It was just a dream, Reign. He’s safe. You’re safe. Get some sleep.”

Lukene begins to rub my arm in long, slow strokes. This feels right. He feels right. I feel like I just came home after a long time away. His scent envelops me, soothing almost as much as his touch.

Reaching out, I trail my hand down his cheek. I lean up and plant a feathery kiss on his lips. When I pull away, he grabs the back of my head and pulls me back in for another kiss. His tongue slips into my mouth.

This kiss is different. It’s not that hungry, desperate kiss he has given me before. It’s slow and tantalizing. He lazily lets his tongue explore my mouth, like he is trying to taste and memorize every part of it. After a moment, he pulls away. “Sleep my reckless Reign.”

Lying back down, I expect sleep to elude me. But he continues to gaze at me with that look I still can’t place. His touch is gentle as he rubs me again, and sleep pulls me back under.

* * *

Waking in the morning, I notice I’m alone in bed. “Luke?” I call out, but no one answers. I throw back the blankets and get up, spotting my purple robe on the chair. I don it quickly and head toward my room.

Upon entering, I find everything set up and put away. I head to the armoire and pull out a tunic and pants. Dressing quickly, I move to my vanity and begin to brush my hair while reflecting on last night. Lukene was so different—so kind, so tender, so loving.

A thought dawns on me… I have fallen for the prince. Not just a stumble; I’m talking a full-on cliff dive, and I realize I am in deep trouble. I didn’t mean to. I felt him slipping in and tried to stop but failed. I don’t want to hurt him, but I don’t think I can give up my revenge—it’s what kept me going in the Hollows. Or can I forget the bitter feelings that have fueled me for so long?

A knock on the door breaks my thoughts, and Lilyana walks in, carrying a gorgeous plum-colored dress. It dips low and has a tight bodice, adorned with sparkly jewels.

“Your gown for the ball was ruined, so now you have a new one!” She smiles kindly as she hangs the dress up.

“It’s gorgeous, Lilyana. Thank you!”

“Oh, I didn’t get it for you,” her smile widens, and I already know where the dress came from.